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Instead of playing a part at the launch, Carney was preparing to meet NRL boss David Gallop about his future.

"It was a relatively minor adjustment to what we were doing but we certainly think it was the right decision for him and for everyone else," Gallop said.

Marshall said he felt for the Sydney Roosters star.

"It's a tough call because Todd's a young guy and I'm a young guy and you want to hang out with guys your age and do what they're doing, but we're key figures in this game and role models of the game," Marshall said.

"It's hard to take I know and, to tell you the truth, we hate the fact that we have to change the way we are."

The launch continued the NRL's assault on the AFL's expansion into western Sydney, the pointed message there in rock supergroup Bon Jovi's song This Is Our House blaring from the league's new television commercial.

Marshall was also singing in tune, firing back at the Giants' signing of ex-NRL star Israel Folau.

"It's good to see the NRL hitting back and fighting back," the Wests Tigers' five-eighth said.

"There's so many more Polynesians playing rugby league than there is one playing AFL, so you tell me who the Polynesians are going to follow."

The league will be hoping for a season devoid of a salary cap scandal similar to the one that rubbed Melbourne out of the 2010 premiership.

Marshall had earlier delivered a speech he wrote himself which was strong on passion and the players' concerns for the recent disasters in Christchurch, Queensland and Victoria.

He revealed he had been the star of the debating team at Keebra Park High School in Southport.

"When I was at high school I was probably the best at speeches that I knew," he said.